Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1887-05-13
FRANK \. ALFRIEkD.

Washington, d. c., on Tuesday,
the 3rd inst, at the early age OF 46
wears. At the time of his death he
was Assistant Librarian of the Z.
| S. Senate, a position for which he
was eminently fitted. Apart from
his great abilities as a writer his
| fine social qualities, magnificent
conversational powers and genial
manner endeared him to a host of
friends who will long sorrow over
his unexpected death.
Alexandria Gazette.
Frank II. Alfriend, a well.knOwn
newspaper writer, died yesterday
afternoon at his home IN Washing
ton, aged AZ years. Mr.. Alfriend
was born in Richmond in 1910, and
graduated at the William and Mary
College, and Immediately entered
upon newspaper work as writer
for the Richmond papers. After
the war be was in charge OF the
editorial department of the South
ern Literary Messenger, and while
engaged in this work he wrote the
first biography Of Jefferson Davis.
Mr.. Alfriend always enjoyed the
confidence Of Mr.. Davis, and the
book was written under his imme.
date supervision and published
with his approval. He came to
Washington as a newspaper writer
and correspondent in 1874, and has
resided there since that time. In
1879 he was made clerk of the Sen
ate Committee on Commerce, of
which Gen. Gordon, of Georgia,
was chairman, and after GOrdOn's
resignation again engaged in news
paper work.
MIR. Alfriend, when the readlus.
ter party was started under the
lead of Gov. Cameron and Senator
Malone, threw all his energy into
the cause. He edited Rlddleber-
gers paper, the VirgiRiQn, at Wood
stock. He was a warm personal
friend of Gov. Cameron, and when
the break occurred between the
Governor and Senator Malone he
espoused the cause of the former.
After leaving the Democratic party,
he become a republican and was
connected with the national Repub-
lican committee in 1894, acting as
confidential agent OF the commit
tee IN Virginia and Tennessee
He was appointed to the position
of Assistant Librarian of the Sen
ate, which he held at the time Of
his death.
About the close of the war Mr..
Alfriend married Miss Alice VAN
bic, young lady of Richmond, who
survives him. Mr.. Alfriend's health
had not been good for some time,
and he was confined to his bed
since Wednesday last. His death
Yesterday was caused by rheuma-
tism of the heart and was rather
sudden and unexpected
Petersburg Index.Appeai ]
Our Richmond letter in yester-
days issue briefly announced the
death of Frank II. Alfriend, which
took place in Washington on Tues
day. The deceased was a son Of
the late Thomas NJ. Alfrend, the
NestOr of Insurance in Virginia,
and sprung from a stock which had
its nursery in and around Peters.
burg. Frank was born in Rich
mond in 1S4l, in very early years
developed aptitude for literary pur.
suits and graduated at old William
and Mary Just before the war
When vet a mere lad he became a
welcome contributor to the press,
and having formed warm attach
ment for Governor Wise broke his
maiden lance in the bitter political
contests of 1852. During this
period, which included the palmy
DAYS of the Richmond theatre, he
wrote several bright comedies
which were successfully produced
and to his death he was remem-
bered and sought after by Jeffer
son, Edwin Adams, Bonlface, and
others of the fraternity who had
passed their prenticeships on the
Virginia boards. During the war
Frank Alfriend was in service at
the first tap Of the drum, but his
| health, never robust, gave way I'M
| der the arduous campaign in West
Virginia and he was never after.
wards a well man. After the sur
render the deceased taught school
for a time, and made a very sue.
cessful administration Of the Mill
tary Academy in Wilmington,
North Carolina; during this period
he wrote and Published life Of
Jefferson Davis which ELECTED the
approval and gratitude of that gen.
tleman: and in 1S6SjG9 he accept
ed an editorial connection with the
Wilmington star, which his facle
talent soon brought to the front
rank of southern journalism. Since
then Major Alfriend has constantly
devoted himself to the press. For
many years his letters formed one
of the chief attractions in the Louis.
vile C0Wier.JOWRoi, and he had
been more recently connected with
the New York Times, Atlanta Con.
situation and other leading papers.
He took an eager interest IN public
affairs and had close intimacies
with many Of the historic men of
his day: with Jefferson Davis, with
Tilden, with Conkling, his relations
were intimate and cordial and he
was an equal companion and trust.
ed counsellor of John Gordon and
Lamar.
At the time of his death the de-
ceased had Just entered upon a post
to which he was singularly fitted,
that Of assistant Librarian of the
United States Senate; and he look
ed forward to many years Of con.
! genial employment, with favorable
surroundings and sufficient leisure
10 devote to his tavOrite literary
pursuits. The summons Of death
came suddenly, and will carry sor'
row to many hearts.
Richmond WhIg.l
TIE announcement of the death
=.